Color changing contact lenses

ABSTRACT

The present invention generally relates to contact lenses. Specifically, this invention relates to contact lenses that change color based on one or more stimuli. The present application provides for a color changing contact lens that can change its color based on one or more stimuli. The color changing contact lens is constructed of an inner layer, an outer layer and a supply of liquid crystal.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/304,667 filed on Nov. 27, 2011, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to contact lenses. Specifically,this invention relates to contact lenses that change color based on oneor more stimuli.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vanity cosmetic alterations have been popular for years. It has beencommonplace for individuals to alter the color of their hair, nails andskin in various ways utilizing a variety of products. Individuals havealso utilized contact lenses to alter the color and/or shape of theirises.

Iris altering contact lens products currently available includealterations in a wide array of colors and shapes (e.g., cat-like,solid). However, currently available contact lenses are limited to asingle color and/or shape. These lenses are formed in a manner such thatthe color and shape are selected at production.

If an individual desired to have different colored or shaped contactlenses, the individual would be required to remove the contact lensescurrently worn with a new set of contact lenses of the desired shapeand/or color. This is especially difficult since changing contact lensestypically requires one or more miscellaneous articles (e.g., mirror,contact lens case, saline solution).

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a color changing contact lensthat can change its color based on one or more stimuli. These and otherfeatures and advantages of the present invention will be explained andwill become obvious to one skilled in the art through the summary of theinvention that follows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a colorchanging contact lens that can change its color based on one or morestimuli.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the color changingcontact lens is constructed of an inner layer, an outer layer and asupply of thermo graphic liquid crystal.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the inner layer iscomprised of an interior side and an exterior side. The outer layer isalso comprised of an interior side and an exterior side.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the exterior sideof the inner layer is configured to be received upon the eye of anindividual.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least a portionof the interior side of the inner layer is configured to be in contactwith an interior side of the outer layer in a manner such that a sealedarea is formed between the inner layer and outer layer is formed.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the interior sideof the inner layer may be further comprised of a plurality of tubesconfigured to retain a substance within. The tubes may be nearlymicroscopic in size.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the supply of thethermo graphic liquid crystal is contained within the sealed areabetween the inner and outer layers of the contact lens.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the inner and outerlayers may be constructed from glass or plastic materials or the like.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the color of thecontact lens may change based on one or more stimuli, such astemperature.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the changing of thecolor of the contact lens is affected by changes in the thermo graphicliquid crystal.

The foregoing summary of the present invention with the preferredembodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention.It should be understood and obvious to one skilled in the art that theembodiments of the invention thus described may be further modifiedwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a color changing contact lens in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention shown in use;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a color changing contact lens inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a color changing contact lens inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention along line 3-3 inFIG. 1 illustrating placement of the contact lens onto the eye of awearer;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a color changing contact lens inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention along line 4-4 inFIG. 2 illustrating layer components of the contact lens;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a color changing contact lens in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a color changing contact lens inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention along line 6-6 inFIG. 5 illustrating layer components of the contact lens; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a color changing contact lens inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED SPECIFICATION

The following detailed description details one or more preferredembodiments and best currently contemplated modes of carrying outexemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to betaken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose ofillustrating the general principles of the invention.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention generally provides acontact lens that changes color depending upon one or more stimuli. Morespecifically, exemplary embodiments of the contact lens described hereinemploy a liquid crystal material that changes color in response tochanges in one or more stimuli. In a preferred embodiment, a thermographic liquid crystal material is utilized that changes color inresponse to changes in the wearer's body temperature, thereby causingthe color of the contact lens to change, for instance, with the mood ofthe wearer.

One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that thermographicliquid crystals (TLC) change color as a function of temperature whenilluminated by white light. Hence reflect visible light at differentwavelengths (colors). TLCs are usually made from a flat strip of liquidcrystals with a protective coating. The crystals respond to changes intemperature by twisting. The twisting changes their molecular structure,which alters the wavelengths of light that are absorbed or reflected.‘Wavelengths of light’ is another way of saying ‘color’, so when thetemperature of the liquid crystals changes, so does their color. Liquidcrystals possess the mechanical properties of a liquid, but have theoptical properties of a single crystal.

In alternate embodiments, other materials may be utilized that arereactive to other stimuli. For instance, photosensitive liquid crystalsmay be utilized, allowing the contact lens to change color based on theamount of light being received upon the lens. Other materials may beaffected by stimuli that include, but are not limited to, force,magnetic fields and electrical fields. One of ordinary skill in the artwould appreciate that there are numerous color changing materials thatmay be utilized with embodiments of the present invention, andembodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with anysuitable color changing material.

A contact lens assembly 36 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention is shown in FIGS. 1-4. The contact lens assembly 36 mayinclude an inner layer 30, and outer layer 12, and a supply of thermographic liquid crystal 34. The outer layer 12 may be positioned over theinterior surface of the inner layer 30; and the thermo graphic liquidcrystal 34 may be disposed between an interior surface of the innerlayer 30 and an interior surface of the outer layer 12.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 illustrate a contactlens assembly 36, according to one exemplary embodiment of theinvention, 10 which may comprise the outer layer 12, a viewing portal16, the inner layer 30 having a plurality of micro tubes 18, and thethermo graphic liquid crystal 34.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the inner layer 30may be made of plastic or glass. The construction material may bedetermined, at least in part, by the nature and character of the lens(e.g., disposable, permanent). One of ordinary skill in the art wouldappreciate that there are numerous materials that could be utilized forthe inner layer in accordance with embodiments of the present invention,and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated with innerlayers of any suitable material.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality ofnearly-microscopic micro tubes 18 may be machined into the interiorsurface of the inner layer 30 and disposed along a brim 14 of thecontact lens assembly 36 just outside or along the outer edge of theiris of a wearer 28. The micro tubes 18 may be filled with the thermographic liquid crystal 34. The outer layer 12 may be placed over theouter surface of the inner layer 30 in order to seal the thermo graphicliquid crystal 34 into the micro tubes 18. The outer layer 12 may bemade of glass or plastic. When installed on the wearer's eye 22, thethermo 20 graphic liquid crystal material 34 may change colors inresponse to changes in the body temperature of the wearer 28.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment, thermo graphic liquidcrystal-filled micro tubes 18 may be disposed over the interior surfaceof the inner layer 30 from the brim 14 to an iris viewing portal 16. Nomicro tubes 18 may be 25 located within the diameter of the viewingportal 16 as this may interfere with the wearer's vision.

In yet another alternative exemplary embodiment, the thermo graphicliquid crystal-filled micro tubes 18 may be disposed about the interiorsurface of the inner layer 30 to create designs in the contact lensassembly 36. Further still, the thermo graphic liquid crystal-filledmicro tubes 18 may be configured in such a manner that as stimuli isapplied to the liquid crystal composition, the shape of the designsappear to change, as well as the color, as expansion and retraction ofthe liquid crystal composition causes a greater/lesser number of themicro tubes 18 to be filled. One of ordinary skill in the art wouldappreciate that there are numerous types of designs and patterns thatmay be utilized with embodiments of the present invention, andembodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with anydesign and/or pattern.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the contact lensassembly 36 may be used in a manner similar to existing contact lenses.As illustrated in FIG. 3, the wearer 28 may place the contact lensassembly 36 between the wearer's upper eye lid 24 and lower eye lid 26and against the wearer's eye 22. The contact lens assembly 36 may alignon the wearer's eye 22 such that the wearer's pupil 20 may see through 5the viewing portal 16. In a preferred embodiment, the thermo graphicliquid crystal 34 may change color in response to the change in thewearer's body temperature. For instance the temperature of the wearer'sbody may fluctuate with the wearer's mood or activity level.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a contact lens assembly 36 according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the invention, which may comprise the innerlayer 30, the outer layer 12 and a thermo graphic liquid crystal plasticstrip layer 38. In this embodiment, thermo graphic liquid crystalmaterial may be infused into the thermo graphic liquid crystal plasticstrip layer 38. The thermo graphic liquid crystal plastic strip layer 38may be attached to the outer surface of the inner layer 30. The outerlayer 12 may be placed over the thermo graphic liquid crystal plasticstrip layer 38 to seal and protect the thermo graphic liquid crystalplastic strip layer 38.

FIG. 7 presents an alternative exemplary embodiment of the contact lensassembly 36 wherein a micro tube thermo graphic liquid crystal striplayer 32 may be infused with thermo graphic liquid crystal 34 and placedover the interior surface of the inner layer 30 which may have aplurality of micro tubes 18 machined into its interior surface. Themicro tube thermo graphic liquid crystal strip layer 32 may fill themicro tubes 18 and provide a layer of thermo graphic liquidcrystal-infused material over the interior surface of the inner layer30. The micro tube thermo graphic liquid crystal strip layer 32 may thenbe 25 sealed with an outer layer 12.

In a preferred embodiment, one of the purposes of the contact lensassembly 36 may be that of a functional fashion accessory; an aestheticdevice. However, there may be other applications for the contact lensassembly 36, such as criminal investigation applications based upon theability to detect subtle changes in body temperature, which may indicatechanges in heart rate, through the use of the contact lens assembly 36.One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there arenumerous applications for embodiments of the present invention, andembodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with anyappropriate application.

DESCRIPTION LIST

10: is the overall invention.

12: is the contact lens outer layer.

14: is the contact lens brim.

16: is the contact lens iris viewing portal.

18: is the thermographic liquid crystal filled micro tube machined intoplastic or glass contact lens material.

20: is the iris.

22: is the eye.

24: is the upper eye lid.

26: is the lower eye lid.

28: is the operator.

30: is the contact lens inner later.

32: is the micro tube thermo graphic liquid crystal strip layer.

34: is the color shifting liquid crystal.

36: is the contact lens.

38: is the thermo graphic liquid crystal plastic strip layer.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of thepresent invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis detailed description. The invention is capable of myriadmodifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings anddescriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and notrestrictive.

1. A contact lens, said contact lens comprising: an inner layer,comprised of an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein saidexterior surface is configured to be placed upon the eye of anindividual; an outer layer, comprised of an interior surface and anexterior surface, wherein said interior surface of said outer layer isaffixed to said interior surface of said inner layer in such a way thatcreates a sealed area there between; and color changing material,wherein said color changing material is contained within said sealedarea.
 2. The contact lens of claim 1, wherein said interior surface ofsaid inner layer is further comprised of a plurality of micro tubes. 3.The contact lens of claim 2, wherein said plurality of micro tubes isconfigured to receive at least a portion of said color changingmaterial.
 4. The contact lens of claim 1, wherein said color changingmaterial is configured to respond to one or more stimuli.
 5. The contactlens of claim 4, wherein at least one of said one or more stimuli istemperature changes.
 6. The contact lens of claim 4, wherein at leastone of said one or more stimuli is changes in the amount of visiblelight.
 7. The contact lens of claim 4, wherein said response includes achange in color of said color changing material.
 8. The contact lens ofclaim 6, wherein said response includes a change in shape of said colorchanging material.
 9. The contact lens of claim 10, wherein said changein shape creates a visible pattern.
 10. The contact lens of claim 1,wherein said color changing material comprises a liquid crystalmaterial.
 11. The contact lens of claim 1, wherein said color changingmaterial comprises a thermo graphic liquid crystal material.
 12. Thecontact lens of claim 1, wherein said color changing material comprisesa thermochromic leuco dye.
 13. The contact lens of claim 1, wherein saidcolor changing material comprises a photochromic material.
 14. A contactlens, said contact lens comprising: a circular membrane; a viewingportal in the center of said circular membrane; and color changingmaterial, wherein said color changing material is contained within saidcircular membrane.
 15. The contact lens of claim 12, wherein said colorchanging material comprises liquid crystal material.
 16. The contactlens of claim 12, wherein said color changing material comprises athermo graphic liquid crystal material.
 17. The contact lens of claim 1,wherein said color changing material comprises a thermochromic leucodye.
 18. The contact lens of claim 1, wherein said color changingmaterial comprises a photochromic material.